The first person to use the term ‘European’, our first ‘man of Letters’ and the first Irish man of whom a biography was written, but who was St Columbanus?
Columbanus was born in Leinster circa 543AD and after spending time studying at Cleenish on Lough Erne arrived at Bangor Abbey around 558AD to study under the Abbey’s founder St Comgall.
He remained at Bangor for some 30 years and, whilst here, it is thought he composed some of his poetry which often focused on nature and the universe.
Travels with St Gall
It was in 591AD that Columbanus left Bangor for Europe along with his fellow Saints, including St Gall who would go on to establish what is now the city of St Gallen in Switzerland.
The group first landed in Burgundy and worked their way through France establishing monasteries at Annegray and Luxeuil, both drawing on the austere rule and life style of Bangor Abbey.
After falling foul of the authorities in France and being exiled, the group travelled up the Rhine River to Lake Constance. Firstly a settlement was formed in Bregenz, Bangor’s twin town, before moving on to what is now Switzerland where the most famous settlement was built by Gall with the foundation of what is now St Gallen.
The Saints Diverge
Gall would remain in Switzerland, after a disagreement with Columbanus, while Columbanus moved on to Italy, firstly Milan in 613AD before soon settling in Bobbio, close to Milan, where he established his last monastery and where he would stay until passing in 615AD. Bobbio also became the resting place of the Bangor Antiphonary for centuries. The book created c.690 in Bangor was based on the rules of Comgall and Columbanus, told through prayers, hymns and poems. Cardinal Borromeo took the book from Bobbio Abbey in the 17th Century to create the Ambrosian Library, Milan where it has been ever since.
Legacy
Not only did Columbanus play a pivotal role in the spread of Christianity in mainland Europe but his importance both here and in Europe has been recognised in that he was the first person to use the term “European”, was notably our first “man of Letters”, famous for his poetry, and was the first Irish man of whom a biography was written, by fellow Monk, Jonas.
Columbanus Leaflet
This five page PDF leaflet, produced by Bangor Friends of Columbanus, gives a short introduction to his life and travels.
Columbanus Audio-Visual Mapping Project
This map-based interactive resource gives an excellent overview of the life and travels of Columbus using a rich mixture of maps, text, photographs and commentary.
Columbanus in Depth
There is an extensive literature on the life, teachings and current significance of Columbanus and the Bangor Saints. In addition there are many videos of talks by experts in this area (some of which were created as part of past Friends of Columbanus events). The links below should assist those who wish to learn more:
To know more about St Columbanus see below.
- The Sermons of St Columbanus (translated orginal texts)
- The Way of St. Columban – a series of 9 reflections (PDF)
- Columbanus on Wikipedia (a detailed overview and generally well referenced account of current scholarship and thinking)
Our Previous Columbanus Lectures
- Saint Gall: An Irish Treasure on the Continent (Video)
- Nature and Humanity in Irish Monastic Poetry (Video and essay)
- Columbanus, Penance and the roots of Military Chaplaincy (Video)
- Early Irish Hand-Bells Revisited (Videos)